Octopus (band)

For the English band, see Paul Griggs.

Octopus
Origin	Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Genres	Alternative rock Britpop
Years active	1995–1997
Labels	Food
Past members
Marc Shearer Alan McSeveney Cameron Miller Oliver Grassel

Octopus were a Britpop band from Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland formed in 1995. They had three hit singles before splitting up in 1997.

History

The band was formed by Marc Shearer (vocals, guitar) and Alan McSeveney (guitar) who recruited Cameron Miller (bass guitar) and Oliver Grassel (drums) and relocated to London.^[1] After playing several times in London (the first of which included a visit from Damon Albarn)^[2] they were spotted by Levitation drummer David Francolini who passed their demo to Food Records boss Andy Ross, who signed the band, releasing their debut single, "Magazine" in March 1996.^[1] Live members at this time included harmonica-player Nick Reynolds, son of Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds and a horn section.^[1][3] They toured with Sleeper and second single "Your Smile" gave them their first hit, peaking at number 42 on the UK Singles Chart.^[3][4] This was followed by "Saved", which saw them break into the top 40, and their album From A to B was released in September 1996.^[1] A fourth single from the album, "Jealousy", reached number 59, and proved to be their final release, the band splitting up in 1997.^[1]

Miller later played with Ben Christophers, Blowpipe, and Adem, while Shearer also played with Adem, and recorded solo material, with "Magma on My Mind" included on the 2009 compilation A Psychedelic Guide To Monsterism Island on Lo Recordings, later recording as Marc Meon.

Discography

Albums

• From A to B (1996), Food - UK #82

Singles

• "Magazine" (1996), Food - UK #90
• "Your Smile" (1996), Food - UK #42
• "Saved" (1996), Food - UK #40
• "Jealousy" (1996), Food - UK #59^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 898-9
2. ^ Roberts, Leo (1996) "Damon's leg-up for Octopus", The Mirror, 31 October 1996
3. ^ ^{a b} Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Indie & New Wave, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0231-3, p. 307
4. ^ "Octopus", Chart Stats, retrieved 2010-10-30
5. ^ "Chart Log UK". http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_O.HTM. Retrieved 8 March 2011. 

External links

• Marc Meon on Myspace